HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 03-08-2012CITY OF PLYMOUTH
rp) COUNCIL INFO MEMO
March 8, 2012
EVENTS/MEETINGS
March, April, May 2012 Official City Meeting Calendars................................................................. Page 1
Tentative List of Agenda Items for Future City Council Meetings ..................................................... Page 4
Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) Agenda 03/14/2012.......................................................... Page 1
2012 MN AIS Symposium 03/19/2012 and 03/20/2012..................................................................... Page 5
Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission Civic Engagement Presentation 03/22/2012 ....... Page 5
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter to Property Owner, RE: Conditional Use Permit for Wayzata School District, 2012011....... Page 15
Letter to Property Owner, RE: Arbor Grove Third Addition proposed plat, 2012012 ...................... Page 15
Letter to Kelli Slavik, RE: HomeServe solicitation.......................................................................... Page 15
Letter from Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission, RE: TMDL & Civic Engagement
Presentation 03/22/2012.................................................................................................................... Page 15
Pothole index doesn't lie: Cities slice spending, MN Office of the State Auditor ............................. Page 13
MLC Commentary: Let's keep property tax changes fair for all Minnesotans, Mayors Kelli Slavik,
Gene Winstead, Mary Guiliani Stephens, George Tourville, & Nancy Tyra -Lukens ...................... Page 17
Basurto final sentencing, US Dept. of Justice................................................................................... Page 11
REPORTS
N/A
MINUTES
Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) Minutes 01/25/12 ............................................. Page 42
City of
Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
March 2012
Modified on 03/09/12
CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED
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9:00 AM -
12:00 PM
CITY SAMPLER
Plymouth City Hall
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5
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7 7:30 AM
8 7:00 PM
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10
STATE OF THE
POLICE DEPT.
CITY MEETING
ANNUAL
Council Chambers
RECOGNITION
EVENT
Cancelled
Plymouth Creek
PLANNING
Center
COMMISSION
MEETING
Council Chambers
11
12
13 5:30 PM
14
15
16 6:30 PM
17
SPECIAL
7:00 PM
FIRE DEPT.
COUNCIL MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL
ANNUAL
Fire Study
Medicine Lake Room
QUALITY
RECOGNITION
COMMITTEE (EQC)
EVENT
6:30 PM HRA
MEETING
Kelly Inn
SPECIAL MEETING
Medicine Lake Room
Council Chambers
Plymouth
7:00 PM
Daylight Savings
REGULAR COUNCIL
Time Begins
MEETING
Council Chambers
18
19
20
21 7:00 PM
PLANNING
22
5:30-8:00 PM
23
24
COMMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL
MEETING
QUALITY FAIR
Council Chambers
Kimberly Lane
Elementary School
7:00 PM
PLYMOUTH ADVISOR
COMMITTEE ON
7:00 PM
TRANSIT (PACT)
HRA MEETING
STUDY SESSION
Medicine Lake Room
Medicine Lake Room
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
7:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING
Council Chambers
Modified on 03/09/12
CHANGES ARE NOTED IN RED
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Adding Quality to Life
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2
3
4
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6
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7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION
MEETING
Council Chambers
Passover Begins
at Sunset
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9
10 6:00 PM
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12
13 5:00-9:00 PM
14
BOARD OF
7:00 PM
5:00-9:00 PM
PRIMAVERA
10:00 AM -4:00 P.
EQUALIZATION
ENVIRONMENTAL
PRIMAVERA
Plymouth Fine
PRIMAVERA
Council Chambers
QUALITY
Arts Council Show
Plymouth Fine Art
COMMITTEE
Plymouth Fine
Plymouth Creek
Council Show
Immediately
(EQC) MEETING
Arts Council
Center
Plymouth Creek Cent(
Following BOE
Council Chambers
Show
Plymouth Creek
6:00-8:00 PM
1:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
Center
YARD Et GARDEN
EXPO
YARD Et GARDEN
YAR Et
Easter Sunday
MEETING
Plymouth Creek
EXPO
Council Chambers
Center Fieldhouse
Plymouth Creek Cent(
15
16
17
18 7:00 PM
19
20
21
1:00-4:00 PM
10:00 AM -4:00 PM
PLANNING
PRIMAVERA
7:00 PM -8:30 PM
COMMISSION
Plymouth Fine
PRIMAVERA
MEETING
Arts Council
Plymouth Fine
Council Chambers
Show
Arts Council
Plymouth Creek
Show
Center
Plymouth Creek
Center
22
23
246:00 PM
BOARD OF
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26
27
28
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
WALK
EQUALIZATION
PLYMOUTH
HRA MEETING
WITH THE MAYOR
Reconvened
ADVISORY
Medicine Lake Room
Plymouth
if Necessary
COMMITTEE ON
Creek Center
Council Chambers
TRANSIT (PACT)
Immediately
STUDY SESSION
Following BOE
Medicine Lake Room
REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING
Council Chambers
29
30
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r�Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
May 2012
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1 5:00 PM
2 7:00 PM
3 7:00 PM
4
5
SPECIAL COUNCIL
PLANNING
HUMAN RIGHTS
MEETING
COMMISSION
COMMITTEE
Development Tour
MEETING
MEETING
With Planning
Council Chambers
Medicine Lake Room
Commission
Meet at City Hall
6
7
8 7:00 PM
9 7:00 PM
10 7:00 PM
11
12
8:00 AM -1:00 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL
PARK Et REC
Plymouth
MEETING
QUALITY
ADVISORY
Fire Department
Council Chambers
COMMITTEE
COMMISSION
Annual Waffle
(EQC) MEETING
(PRAC) MEETING
Breakfast
Council Chambers
Council Chambers
Fire Station 3
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
7:00 PM
PLANNING
7:30 AM -2:00 Ph
COMMISSION
SPECIAL
MEETING
DROP OFF DAY
Council Chambers
Plymouth
Maintenance Facility
20
21
22
23 7:00 PM
24 7:00 PM
25
26
7:00 PM
PLYMOUTH
HRA MEETING
REGULAR COUNCIL
ADVISORY
Medicine Lake Room
MEETING
COMMITTEE ON
Council Chambers
TRANSIT (PACT)
MEETING
Medicine Lake Room
27
28
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MEMORIAL
DAY
Observed
CITY
OFFICES
CLOSED
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Page 3
Tentative Schedule for
City Council Agenda Items
March 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
• Approve 2012 Refuse Hauler License Renewals
• Hearing on 3.2 Off -Sale Liquor License application of Holiday Stationstores, Inc., d/b/a Holiday
Stationstore #303, 9700 Betty Crocker Drive
• Hearing on Wine liquor license application of Uchu L.L.C., d/b/a Uchu Peruvian Cuisine at 4130
Berkshire Lane North, Unit B
April 10, Board of Equalization, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers
April 10, Regular, Immediately following Board of Equalization, Council Chambers
• Project and Assessment hearing on 2012 Street Reconstruction, Circle Park (12001)
• Presentation by Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson
April 24, Board of Equalization (if necessary), 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers
April 24, Regular, Immediately following Board of Equalization, Council Chambers
May 1, 5:00 p.m.
• Development tour with Planning Commission
May 8, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
May 22, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers
Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. Page 4
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
March 14, 2012
WHERE: COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Plymouth City Hall
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Environmental
Quality Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of
these items unless a Committee member, or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be
removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda.
1. 7:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
2. 7:05 P.M. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about any item
not contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum.
3. 7:20 P.M APPROVAL OF AGENDA - EQC members may add items to the agenda for
discussion purposes or staff direction only. The EQC will not normally take official action
on items added to the agenda.
4. 7:25 P.M. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. None
5. 7:30 P.M. CONSENT AGENDA*
A. Approve February 8, 2012, Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes
(Asche)
B. Approve Adopt -A -Street Pick Up Day — April 22, 2012 (Asche)
C. Approve 2012 Compost Grant Applications (Springob)
D. Approve Stormwater Ordinance (Asche)
6. 7:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING
7. 7:30 P.M. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. EQC Sponsored Project (Asche)
8. REPORTS AND STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
9. FUTURE MEETINGS — April 11, 2012
10. 8:00 P.M. ADJOURNMENT
Page 5
Zebra mussels attached to a native mussel
2012 Minnesota AIS Symposium:
The Latest in research and Policy
Presented by the Minnehoha Creek Watershed District Pelican River
Watershed District, Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts,
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, Minnesota Waters, and the
Minnesota Coalition of take Associations.
Monday, March 19, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Invasive Aquatic Plant Management
Tuesday, March 20, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Invasive Aquativnimal Management
Symposium Objective:
From Asian carp to flowering
rush, aquatic invasive
species (AIS) are threatening
Minnesota's precious water
resources and the communities
that depend on them.
Eurasian watermilfoil
Join local officials, scientists, natural resp.urte professionals
and concerned citizens to learn a dut the latest research on
AIS management: and the policy and legal implications of the
approaches available today.
flowering rush e
Information and Registration: ��� �nwatershed. Arj
Page 6
The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission
presents
Defining Civic Engagement for Ourselves
Have you ever wondered how to improve citizen involvement
in your watershed? How to take citizen involvement to a new level?
How to achieve greater water quality improvements?
Come and join us to listen and to share new ideas about ways
to encourage more meaningful citizen involvement when planning
for the protection and restoration of water resources.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Speaker: Barbara Radke, University of Minnesota Extension -Center for Community Vitality
in Leadership and Civic Engagement
Place: Plymouth Ice Center 13650 Plymouth Boulevard I Plymouth, MN
Time: 5:30 p.m. Alight supper will be served.
Reservations are requested to Beverly Love 1763.553.1144 1 blove@jass.biz
Barbara will lead a discussion about civic engagement — its meaning and application within a watershed
management context. Barbara will discuss a framework for thinking strategically and intentionally about
citizen involvement efforts within existing and new watershed projects.
In her career with U of MExtension 's Center for Community Vitality in Leadership and Civic Engagement, Barbara's
experience includes design and implementation of community initiatives on poverty which incorporates collaborative and civic
engagement components as well as design and, facilitation of civic engagement processes to support a regional initiative on
sustainable growth in communities. Currently, Barbara is working with multiple watersheds across Minnesota as they work to
develop authentic ways of engaging citizens in water planning processes. Prior to joining Extension, Barbara worked for a
non-profit, became a practicing attorney and served as an administrative law judge.
Z:\Elm Creek\TMDLs\Radke flyer_3 doc.docx
Page 7
Plymouthr�
Adding Quality to Life
March 9, 2012
SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR WAYZATA SCHOOL DISTRICT
(ISD 284) (2012011)
Dear Property Owner:
Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of
a request by the Wayzata School District (ISD 284), under File No, 2012011, for a
conditional use permit to allow a scoreboard to be installed at the southeast end of the
athletic stadium at Wayzata High School located at 4955 Peony Lane North, The
scoreboard is proposed to be roughly 940 square feet in area and 47 feet high and would
include video display panels. A map showing the location of the subject property is
provided below.
Hennepin County records indicate your property is located within 500 feet of the site of this
proposal. You arc hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a public hearing to be
held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 21, 2012,
in the Council Chambers at Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will
be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel
free to call the city planning department at (763) 509-5450 for more information. You may
also submit comments in writing. All written comments will become part of the public
record.
INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the community development
information counter (lower level of city hall) on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday
from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays.
Sincerely,
tobl' tft w1
Barbara G. Thomson, AICP
Planning Manager
0:4PLAi+I NOTICEMP02012V0i 201 I pmpnoticednex
3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 • Tel: 763-504-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us
.� kF14
Page 8
r�ity
Plymouth
Adding Quality to Life
March 1, 2012
Dear Resident/Land Owner:
The city has recently received an application from Ryland Homes, under file no. 2012012,
requesting approval of the following items for a proposed plat to be called "Arbor Grove Third
Addition" for the roughly eight -acre property located at 4420 Brockton Lane: 1) a rezoning from
FRD (future restricted development) to RSF-3 (single family detached 3) and 2) a preliminary
plat to create 14 single-family lots. A map showing the location of the subject property is
provided below.
This letter is being mailed to all landowners within 750 feet of the site in order to provide notice
and information about the application — in advance of the official notice that will be sent out
prior to the Planning Commission's public hearing on the matter. The city will send out another
letter notifying you of the Planning Commission public hearing date, not less than ten days prior
to the hearing date. The purpose of the public hearing is to allow neighboring property owners to
appear in front of the Planning Commission to ask questions and make comments relating to the
application. You may also submit comments in writing. All written comments will become part
of the public record.
If you have any questions or comments concerning this application or the review procedures,
please call Marie Darling, Senior Planner, at (763) 509-5457.
INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the community development
information counter (lower level of City Hall), on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Tuesdays from 8:00
a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays.
Sincerely,
101 110MLWY)
Barbara G. Thomson, AICP
Planning Manager
O;WLANWOTICESWM201212012M first-nolice.doex
3400 Plymouth Blvd • Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-9482 • Tel: 763-509-5000 • www.ci.plymouth.mn.us
Page 9
REcFTr\rFT
MAR - 2012
BY: _ --
February 29, 2012
Kelli Slavid
Mayor
3400 Plymouth Blvd
Plymouth, MN 55447
HomeServe
Thomas Rusin
Chief Executive Officer, USA
750 East Main Street, 8th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
To the Honorable Mayor Kelli Slovid:
This letter is intended as a professional courtesy to inform you that HomeServe will be mailing a solicitation for our
Water Service Line Coverage to residents of Plymouth starting in February.
In anticipation of this mailing, I am writing to share with you some important information about HomeServe, water
service line emergencies and our Water Service Line Coverage.
ABOUT HOMESERVE
• Operating in the US since 2003, HomeServe is an independent company.
• We provide emergency repair services to over 1,000,000 homeowners from coast to coast.
• In 2011,.we paid for over $33 million in covered repair costs for our customers.
• All of our service and repair plans are optional.
• 25 utility companies have chosen HomeServe to be their official provider of emergency home repair services.
ABOUT EXTERIOR WATER SERVICE LINE EMERGENCIES
• According to our repair records and US Census Bureau data', we estimate there will be over 1,000,000 water
service line emergencies in the US in 2012.
• A national survey conducted by GfK Roper Custom Research2 found that nearly 50% of homeowners surveyed
don't know that they are responsible for repairs to the water line on their property. We attempt to verify
homeowner responsibilities based on local ordinances, codes and/or laws in your community before mailing.
• Repairing a section of water service line costs an average of $2,3001.
• According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 64% of Americans do not have $1,000 in savings
to pay for emergency repairs.
ABOUT WATER SERVICE LINE COVERAGE
Water Service Line Coverage from HomeServe provides eligible homeowners with:
• Protection against the costs of most types of common repairs to exterior water service lines
• 24-hour Emergency Repair Hotline with priority repair status
• Local, licensed and insured contractors who live and work in the area to perform the repairs
• A one-year guarantee on all repairs
lover, please)
'US Census American Community Service estimate of detached or attached single-family residences in the U5 and 2011 HomeServe national
water service line repair frequency experience.
1GfK Roper Custom Research —July 2011.
2011 HomeServe national average repair cost experience.
Our mission- To free our members from the worry of home emergencies Page 10 06
I hope this information gives you some background on our company and our protection plan. If you or any of your
constituents have questions about our products, please feel free to call me at 1-855-530-8616.
r, Ve look forward to providing Plymouth homeowners with this valuable coverage and bringing more repair work
to contractors in your community
Sincerely,
Tom Rusin
Chief Executive Officer
Tom.Rusin@HomeServeUSA.com
Page 11
elm creek
Watershed Management Commission
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
3235 Fernbrook Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
PH: 763.553.1144
FAX: 763.553.9326
E-mail: judie@jass.biz
February 28, 2012
Honorable Mayors and Council Members
City Staff, Committees and Commissions
Member Communities
Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission
Hennepin County, MN
Re: Civic Engagement — March 22, 2012 presentation
Elm Creek Watershed -wide Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
TECHNICAL OFFICE
Hennepin County, DES
417 North 5th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1397
PH: 612.596.1171
FAX: 612.348.8532
E-mail: Ali.Durgunoglu@co.hennepin.mn.us
As you may be aware, Elm Creek is listed on the Federal Clean Water Act's 303(d) list of impaired waters.
The section of Elm Creek from Rice Lake to the Mississippi River confluence is currently listed for
dissolved oxygen (DO) impairment; and the upstream reaches and tributaries of Elm Creek (Rush and
Diamond Creeks and Rice, Fish and Weaver Lakes) are listed for a range of impairments, including
excessive nutrients, dissolved oxygen, biotic health and, potentially, bacteria. The Clean Water Act
requires that a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and Implementation Plan be prepared for each
Impaired Water, identifying the contributors to the impairments and outlining a plan for returning the
waters to an unimpaired state.
The Elm Creek Watershed -wide TMDL is approximately 50% complete, with work over the last three
years focused primarily on monitoring and data analysis. Work over the next two years will focus on
determining what pollutant loadings are coming from which of the communities in the watershed and
how much each community needs to reduce those loadings so that water quality standards will be met.
An integral part of the TMDL Implementation Plan is the Civic Engagement Process. In the past,
watershed assessment and planning has largely been a government agency activity, with limited citizen
involvement. Often citizens and stakeholders were given opportunities to become involved too late in
the process when they could do little to influence policy decisions and implementation plans, resulting in
limited ownership or buy -in to these plans. As a result, implementation of water quality plans and
practices have often stagnated or not met goals developed for a particular watershed.
This has led the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to reconsider the ways in which it studies
and manages water pollution. In addition, The Clean Water Council has recommended that MPCA
promote greater civic engagement in watershed planning by encouraging more citizens to become leaders
for change in their communities and holding individuals personally responsible for making needed changes
that could reduce water pollution. Since watershed protection and restoration depends largely on changing
the behaviors of citizens who live on the land, it will require a real commitment at the community level to
address problems in our lakes and streams.
CHAMPLIN - CORCORAN - DAYTON - MAPLE GROVE - MEDINA - PLYMOUTH - ROGERS page 12
Elm Creek TM DL elm creek Watershed Management Commission
February 28, 2012
page 2
Early in the Elm Creek watershed -wide TMDL development a Stakeholder Committee was formed as part
of the civic engagement process. Over the past two years the committee has met six times. Fifty-four
individuals representing 24 communities, government agencies and neighborhood associations have
attended these meetings. Based on the results of a collaborative study taken at the last Stakeholder
meeting on October 26, 2011, it became very apparent that much more could be done to engage the
cities and their residents in the TMDL process.
In response to that survey the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission has invited Barbara
Radke from the University of Minnesota Extension -Center for Community Vitality in Leadership and Civic
Engagement to lead a discussion about civic engagement — its meaning and application within a watershed
management context. She will discuss a framework for thinking strategically and intentionally about citizen
involvement efforts within existing and new watershed projects.
Radke will speak at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2012, at Plymouth Ice Center, 3650 Plymouth Boulevard
in Plymouth, MN. Because a light supper will be served, reservations are requested by March 20, and can
be made by contacting Beverly Love, 763.553.1144 or blove@iass.biz. A flyer with complete information is
attached.
We urge you to attend and to promote this presentation with your councilors, staff, commissions and
committees, lake associations and other interested citizens. Thank you.
Sincerely,
P'0� ,
Doug Baines
Chair
DB: jaa
Ends
Z:\Elm Creek\TMDLs\Stakeholder meet ings\L_civic engagement.doc
Page 13
CHAMPLIN - CORCORAN - DAYTON - HASSAN - MAPLE GROVE - MEDINA - PLYMOUTH - ROGERS
Pothole index doesn't lie: Cities slice spending
Posted: 3:50 pm Mon, March 5, 2012
By Mark Anderson
Auditor finds drops in money for roads and econ development
Minnesota cities are spending less than they did a decade ago, and they're tapping their own
residents to make up a steep decline in state aid during the period. All that while the roads are
getting bumpier.
Total inflation-adjusted spending by Minnesota city governments dropped 13 percent, or $581.6
million, between 2001 and 2010, according to the annual Minnesota City Finances Report,
compiled by the State Auditor's office.
That trend toward less local spending resulted in part from state policy shifts that reduced local
government aid and other state grants to local government by more than 38 percent, or $363.6
million, by the end of the decade.
That financing shift was intended to put more of the onus on local governments to justify their
spending on services.
But the greatest single spending change noted in the report a $140 million reduction in local
public investments in housing and economic development — was probably driven simply by the
recession, said Jay Kiedrowski, a senior fellow at the Humphrey School for Public Affairs and a
former Minnesota finance director. "Developers haven't wanted to develop, so cities aren't being
asked for subsidies, for expansion of tax increment financing districts, things like that. That
category isn't a surprise."
The next largest single cut was in local street and highway repair, which was $108.7 million
lower at the end of the decade, and that should be a cause for concern, Kiedrowski said. "That's
cities deferring maintenance; that's about all the potholes you see in streets. Cities can't keep up
with those real needs" when they are struggling with the effects of big state aid losses.
Tom Hesse, vice president for governmental affairs at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce,
offered a different take on that move, though. "I'm surprised by that, because there's been
record-breaking road construction in the last few years at the state level," he said. "This is just a
guess, but I wonder if those state projects took some pressure off local street paving."
Hesse and Kiedrowski both said the spending decreases demonstrated that local governments
have adopted innovation and collaboration as a priority in service design.
"Local governments know that demographics indicate that they'll be facing tight budgets for
many years, and they've been very creative about looking for ways to deliver quality services at
lower prices," Hesse said.
Page 14
But wringing more efficiency out of those programs is going to be harder, said Rachel Walker,
senior policy analyst with the Minnesota League of Cities.
"Cities have taken advantage of all the low -hanging fruit. The things that remain are probably
going to be much trickier to do and harder to gain savings from," Walker said.
Total capital spending by cities was also much lower at the end of the decade, despite historically
low borrowing costs that have been in place since the recession began. Spending dropped from
$1.47 billion to $809.8 million over the decade, despite documented infrastructure needs.
Spending declined in all but one of 11 categories identified by the auditor. The lone increase
came in public safety spending, which climbed 10.8 percent.
The declines in city spending were more than matched by declines in revenue, which fell 10
percent in the decade. The reduction in state aid was the biggest contributor to that, falling
$363.6 million.
Local governments offset the state aid losses partly by raising property taxes $249 million, or
17.7 percent.
The anemic economy took a bite out of city revenue in another way. Interest earnings on city
funds declined 72 percent in the decade, erasing $150.3 million in annual earnings.
Walker predicted the auditor's report will influence legislative debates in the next two years
about local government aid.
"It certainly adds to the debate about government just growing and spending more every year,'
Walker said. "These inflation-adjusted spending figures show that just isn't the case."
Minnesota cities: less money, less spending
2001120101 Change
Total revenue: $3.77B / $3.3813 / -10.2%
Total spending: $4.47B / $3.8813 / -13.0%
Source: Minnesota Office of the State Auditor
Page 15
Let's keep property tax changes fair for all
Minnesotans
Transition to Homestead Market Value Exclusion program should be given time to
work
By Kelli Slavik, Mary Guiliani Stephens, George Tourville, Nancy Tyra -Lukens & Gene
Winstead (458 words)
This November, Minnesotans will cast ballots to fill the seats of all 201 members of the
State House and Senate. As usual in an election year, property taxes will be a hot topic.
As mayors of five Twin Cities suburban communities, we are well -versed in the
complexities of our property tax system. At the city level, the rubber literally meets the
road. Our city councils have made tough decisions over the past several years to
maintain critical services while doing our best to keep property taxes down.
Last year, the legislature and Governor Dayton enacted property tax changes that have
caught some homestead and commercial property taxpayers by surprise. The biggest
change was the transition from the Market Value Homestead Credit (MVHC) to an
exclusion for homes valued under $413,800.
Under the old MVHC program, the state directly paid a portion of homeowners' property
taxes. However, the state frequently failed to pay the full amount. In 9 of the past 11
years, the state did not fully reimburse cities for MVHC payments, creating unanticipated
shortfalls in local budgets.
The new Homestead Market Value Exclusion instead shields a portion of a home's value
from taxation. The state will no longer pay for this homeowner property tax relief.
Instead, it is funded locally by residential and commercial property owners within that
home's jurisdiction.
This exclusion is a typical method used by other states to provide property tax relief. The
upside is that cities will have a much more reliable revenue stream to establish their
budgets. The downside is that in this transition year, some homeowners will see a one-
time jump in their taxes. Cities with more lower -valued homes will see a larger impact.
To help offset some of these increases, lawmakers increased funding for the "circuit
breaker" property tax refund program that benefits low-income households.
During this legislative session, some lawmakers are likely to call for additional changes.
Our message to the legislature is simple: keep any property tax changes fair for all
Minnesotans. Dividing Minnesota into "Greater Minnesota" and "metro area" camps
doesn't benefit anyone. While some property tax increases in Greater Minnesota may
show large one-time growth on a percentage basis, the starting point is frequently much
lower than in the Twin Cities. In addition, a Minnesota Department of Revenue report
last year showed that as a percentage of income, metro area property taxpayers pay more
in property taxes than those in Greater Minnesota.
Page 16
Property taxes are one of government's more visible and transparent funding sources.
We believe that's a good thing. We are hopeful the 2012 legislature will work with cities
like ours to ensure that Minnesota's property tax system continues to head in the direction
of more fairness and transparency. For more information, please visit
www.]2ropert3qaxfaimess.com.
Kelli Slavik is mayor of Plymouth, Mary Guiliani Stephens is mayor of Woodbury,
George Tourville is mayor of Inver Grove Heights, Nancy Tyra -Lukens is mayor of Eden
Prairie, and Gene Winstead is mayor of Bloomington. All five serve as members of the
Municipal Legislative Commission Board of Directors.
Page 17
B. Todd Jones,
United States Attorney
Jeanne F. Cooney
Director of Community Relations
(612)664-5611
email: jeanne.cooney@usdoj.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
WWW. JUSTICE. GO V/USAO/MN
United States Department of Justice
United States Attorney's Office
District of Minnesota
News Release
West St. Paul man sentenced for
conspiring to distribute methamphetamine
MINNEAPOLIS — Earlier today in federal court, a 25 -year-old West St. Paul man was
sentenced for conspiring to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine. United States
District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced Martin Basurto, Jr., to 120 months in prison on
one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Basurto, Jr., was indicted along with
three co-defendants on November 17, 2010, and pleaded guilty on March 21, 2011.
In his plea agreement, Basurto, Jr., admitted that from October 2009 through August 2010,
he distributed 75 1. 1 grams of methamphetamine to law enforcement in nine separate
transactions. On October 21, 2010, police seized another 175 grams of methamphetamine from
his residence, along with three firearms from his garage.
Following today's sentencing, Dan Moren, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration's ("DEA"), Minneapolis -St. Paul District Office, said, "The
harm inflicted by the Basurto Organization through the importation and distribution of
methamphetamine in the greater Twin Cities area is devastating on many fronts. Drug trafficking
inherently increases the risk of violence in our neighborhoods—equally devastating is the loss of
Minnesota's community members to drug addiction and overdose."
On January 27, 2012, Judge Schiltz sentenced Martin Basurto-Esquivel, age 54, of White
Bear Lake, to 120 months on one count of conspiracy. He pleaded guilty on May 12, 2011. In his
plea agreement, Basurto-Esquivel admitted that during the period of the conspiracy, he assisted
others in distributing methamphetamine unknowingly to an undercover agent. In addition, he
admitted responsibility for distributing between 150 and 500 grams of methamphetamine during
the course of the conspiracy.
On October 28, 2011, Patricio Cardoso -Sanchez, age 41, of St. Paul, was sentenced to 24
Page 18
months on one count of conspiracy. He pleaded guilty on May 16, 2011. In his plea agreement,
Cardoso -Sanchez admitted that on three occasions, he was with Keener Basurto when Basurto
sold a total of 12 ounces of methamphetamine.
On October 18, 2011, Keener Basurto, age 36, of West St. Paul, was sentenced to 60 months
on one count of conspiracy. He pleaded guilty on January 13, 2011. In his plea agreement,
Keener Basurto admitted that he also distributed 751.1 grams of methamphetamine to law
enforcement in nine separate transactions. In addition, he admitted obtaining the drugs from
Basurto-Esquivel and Martin Basurto, and was assisted in three transactions by Cardoso -
Sanchez.
According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, authorities began investigating
the defendants in October of 2009 and began making arranged controlled purchases of drugs
from them in November of 2009.
This case was the result of an investigation by the DEA, the Hennepin County Sheriff's
Office, the St. Paul Police Department, the Washington County Drug Task Force, the Ramsey
County Drug Task Force, the Anoka County Drug Task Force, the Minneapolis -St. Paul Airport
Police Department, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Dakota County Drug Task Force and the
Northwest Metro Drug Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M.
Hollenhorst. To learn more about the harmful effects of methamphetamine, visit
http : //www. justice . gov/dea/concem/meth. html
Page 19
PACT January 2012 Regular meeting
Proposed Minutes
Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT)
Wednesday, January 25, 7:00 p.m.
Committee Members Present: Chair Wosje, Bliss, Kedzuf and Bildsoe
Committee Members Absent: Buelow, Gustafson, and Scherschligt
Staff Present: Transit Manager Hellekson, Transit Coordinator Maciej, First Transit
Representatives Baldwin and Buharin, and Committee Reporter Kovacevick
Call to Order: Chair Wosje called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Approval of Agenda
MOTION by Vice Chair Kedzuf and seconded by Committee Member Bliss to approve the
agenda. MOTION approved.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
MOTION made by Committee Member Bliss and seconded by Vice Chair Kedzuf to approve the
November 30, 2011 PACT meeting minutes, as amended. MOTION approved.
Discussion of coach bus demonstration
At the November, 2011 meeting, PACT directed staff to explore options for temporary use of a
coach bus on routes between Station 73 and downtown to determine whether ridership and
facility use would increase. Manager Hellekson explained that Metropolitan Council was open
to Plymouth borrowing a coach bus from another suburban fleet. Staff inspected buses which
would not be available until late 2012. The cost of paint and graphics is an estimated $10,000
and are required under the Metropolitan Council Master Lease Agreement. First Transit has a
coach bus available which it could loan at no additional cost to Plymouth. The cost to apply
graphics is substantially less. Any trial use of a coach bus would be approximately three months
long to gather empirical evidence regarding use of Station 73 and ridership. Staff noted that
operating costs of a coach bus are twice the current amount of a forty foot bus.
First Transit Representative Buharin suggested that if the project moves forward that the coach
bus service route 772, which operates at the peak of the peak traffic. Council Member Bildsoe
suggested using the graphic "Destination Station 73 Express Bus".
First Transit Representative Buharin described the coach bus. He suggested waiting until spring
to put this bus into service. Chair Wosje reported that Route 772 ridership is at capacity with
some overflow. He asked how we would measure any increase in ridership as a result of the
January 25, 2012 Minutes Page 1/2
Page 20
PACT January 2012 Regular meeting
coach service. It was discussed that the change in overflow to the second bus would be the best
way to quantify any benefit of the coach. Chair Wosje suggested a post -trial survey to measure
the impact of the coach experience and said this discussion would continue at the February, 2012
meeting.
Discuss PACT meeting schedule
Manager Hellekson reminded the group that the Plymouth City Council requested that a plan be
presented to the City Council by April. Council Member Bildsoe stated that he would get that
changed as the PACT needed more time. MOTION by Committee Member Kedzuf to
reschedule the February 22 PACT meeting to February 29, 2012, and add a working session after
the regular meetingthat hat night, seconded by Committee Member Bliss. MOTION approved.
Receive 2011 Fixed Route Survey Analysis
Transit Manager Hellekson explained the Annual Rider Survey methodology and summarized
the high points of interest to the Committee.
Vice Chair Kedzuf asked if the maps of the downtown system are displayed on each bus like in
light rail. She suggested displaying the downtown maps and marking light rail stops and other
popular landmarks in the downtown area on the maps. Chair Wosje asked that staff to research
any opportunities to utilize these materials from Metro Transit, and bring the results to the
February meeting.
Identify areas of concern and recommendations
Committee Member Bliss said he is concerned about the cold air temperature of route 791 in the
mornings. It was noticeably cold even on the second trip of the morning. First Transit staff will
check this.
Council Member Bildsoe said that City Council is considering a comprehensive "Citizen
Survey" which should include the topic of transit in Plymouth. He will talk to communications
staff to include transit questions in the survey.
Transit Manager Hellekson said the driver award nominations have been tabulated and can be
awarded at a City Council meeting. Committee members agreed upon the March 13, 2012 City
Council meeting for the driver awards.
MOTION to adjourn by Chair Wosje. Seconded by Vice Chair Kedzuf. MOTION approved.
Regular meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Regular quarterly PACT meetings: February 29, May 23, August 22 and November 28.
PACT Working Sessions: February 29, March 21, April 25, June 27, July 25, September 26,
October 24, and December 26.
January 25, 2012 Minutes Page 2/2
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